JP2001268133A - Mobile communication network, entry node therefor and maintenance message suppressing method on mobile communication network - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress the useless exchange of message between a wireless block and a core network block. SOLUTION: An entry node 702 on the mobile communication network connected to a terminal node for exchanging a message is provided with a first judging means for judging whether a message 704 transmitted from the terminal node is a predetermined maintenance message to be transmitted from one terminal node for confirming the connectivity of communication or not and a second judging means for judging whether a response to the maintenance massage is required or not when the transmitted message is the maintenance message. Further, this node is provided with a transmitting means for transmitting a response 706 to the terminal node when the second judging means judges the response to the maintenance message is required.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mobile communication network, its entry node, and a method for suppressing maintenance messages in the mobile communication network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art One of the major characteristics of a mobile communication network is that communication using radio is performed. Here, the radio resource is a finite resource, and supporting communication of as many users as possible using the finite resource is one of the major issues in the mobile communication system. Taking measures to effectively use this finite resource will lead to further development of the mobile communication system.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the concept of network resources in a mobile communication network.

As shown in FIG. 1, a network resource 100 in a mobile communication network is considered to be roughly divided into two. One is a radio resource 102,
The other is a core network resource 104.

[0005] Here, the radio resource 102 is a mobile station (MT / AD) mainly established when a user performs communication.
T: mobile terminal / adapte
r) means a user data connection (network resource for transferring user data) between the 120 and the subscriber node 130 and a signaling procedure for establishing the user data connection. The core network resource 104 includes a subscriber node 130 established when a user performs communication, and a core network gate which is a gateway exchange when the mobile communication network connects to the Internet service provider ISP 150 or another network. (CN gate) 140 means a user data connection and a signal procedure for establishing the user data connection.

[0006] The conventional wireless resource 102 is controlled based on the presence or absence of a user's data amount. Nodes in the network monitor user data, and if user data has not been transmitted / received for a certain period of time, change the state of the user data connection of the wireless channel to “individual CH”.
→ Perform transition control such as “Common CH” → “Release”.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an image of resource transition in a radio section.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a logical image of a radio channel state.

In FIG. 2, the state is a state where the user frequently transfers user data.
0 secures a wireless channel called “individual CH”.
In this state, when the user data decreases, the state of the wireless channel changes to the state.

[0010] In the state, the user data amount is smaller than when the dedicated CH is used.
(RA / FACH: Random Access / Fo
wireless access channel). In this wireless CH state, the RACH (uplink) can flow control data and user data. It is possible to flow control information, broadcast information, and user data also on FACH (downlink). When user data decreases in this state, the state of the wireless channel transits to the state of the state.

The state is a state in which user data is hardly transmitted / received.
(RA / PCH: Random Access / Pag
ingChannel)). In this radio CH state, RA
Only the control data can flow in CH (up). In the PCH (downlink), only a CH for paging for sending downlink data exists. Even in this state, the communication itself is continued, and the user data connection (connection for transmitting only user data) is released. When the user transmits and receives data in this state, it is necessary to perform control to transition to the RA / FACH state of the common CH once, that is, the state in which a so-called user data connection is established.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a transition diagram of a radio channel state.

As described above, the state,
The state transits to one of the state and the state.

On the other hand, the conventional core network resource 1
04 is a control method in which the resource is always reserved while the user establishes the communication, and the resource is released only when the communication is disconnected due to the disconnection by the user or other causes. Has become.

Generally, in a mobile communication network,
A function for confirming the connectivity of communication in a network is implemented in a wireless section and a core network section. In the wireless section, in the state of FIG. 2, synchronization is established between the mobile device 120 and the wireless control station 125, and the communication connectivity is confirmed by this synchronization confirmation. In the state and the state of FIG.
The periodicity of the location registration confirms the connectivity of the communication. Also in the core network section, the communication connectivity is confirmed by performing a periodic ping test in the lower layer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the concept of a control procedure up to data transmission / reception when making a PPP connection in a mobile communication network.

Here, when connecting to the Internet using a telephone line or ISDN, PPP (Point to Point) is used.
A protocol called “Point Protocol” is used. PPP, as the name suggests, IP
Can be used as a protocol to connect. For example,
This is used when a local computer is connected to a computer on another LAN by one-to-one IP connection in a network in which LANs are connected by a dedicated line. PPP handles IP datagrams created by upper-layer IPs. That is, I
This is a protocol that can exchange P datagrams over a dedicated line or a telephone line. PPP is a protocol group that includes several protocols. It is composed of a protocol that covers each stage such as connection establishment, disconnection, data compression, and error control.

First, a connection request is issued from the mobile terminal (including the PC) 110 to the mobile device 120 (step S301).

Next, the mobile node 120 sends the subscriber node 1
A connection request is transmitted to the server 30 (step S302).

Next, a connection request is transmitted from the subscriber node 130 to the core network gate (CN gate) 140 (step S303).

Next, a connection response is transmitted from the core network gate (CN gate) 140 to the subscriber node 130 (step S304).

Next, the mobile station 1 is sent from the subscriber node 130.
A connection response is transmitted to the server 20 (step S305).

Next, a mobile terminal 120 (PC)
) (Step S30).
6).

Next, the user data link (ATM-S
VC) is established (step S307).

Next, PPP negotiation is performed (step S308).

Next, in order to pass the PPP packet through the network, a PPP link, which is a link established by the PPP negotiation process, is established (step S309).

Next, transmission and reception of user data become possible (step S310).

Here, in FIG. 3, PC 110 and C
The case where the N gate 140 and the ISP 150 are terminated with PPP is described as an example, but the same applies to the case where the PC 110 and the ISP 150 are terminated with PPP.

FIG. 4 is a state transition diagram for establishing a PPP link in a mobile communication network until a PPP link is established.

Generally, PPP negotiation is a process for establishing a PPP link consisting of the following five phases.

(1) Link Dead (Link Dead)
Phase (Step S402) This phase is a state where the communication system is not operating physically or electrically (for example, when the CD of the modem is down). CD (CarrierDete
ct: carrier detection) rises (turns on), and when the line is connected, the PPP shifts to the link establishment phase.

(2) Link establishment (Link Estab)
) phase (step S404) In this phase, the LCP setting (Configur
e) Exchange packets (setting request / confirmation packets) in both directions. Each other confirms the settings (Configure-A
ck) When a packet is received and transmitted, a link is established (LCPope). In this phase,
Only LCP packets can be used, other packets are ignored. Note that, in the network layer protocol phase or the authentication phase, a link setting request (Configu
Upon receiving the (re-Request) packet, the process returns to the link establishment phase.

(3) Authentication (Authenticatio)
n) (Phase step S406) An authentication protocol can be performed before the network layer protocol. The authentication phase is optional, but if it does, it must be done as soon as possible after the link is established. Which authentication protocol is used is set in advance by an LCP setting option.
In this phase, the LCP, the authentication protocol, and the link quality monitoring packet can be executed. Other packets are discarded.

(4) Network layer protocol (Net
work Layer Protocol (Step S408) In this phase, first, the NCP corresponding to each network layer protocol is executed. Each network protocol is only valid after running NCP. At this time, packets of a supported protocol are discarded, and packets of an unsupported protocol are rejected by a protocol rejection (Protocol-
Reject). The packets that can be used in this phase are LCP, NCP, and network protocol packets.

(5) Link Termination (Link Termi)
Nation) phase (step S410) The modem shifts to the termination phase due to CD drop (CD OFF), authentication or link quality failure, timeout of idle time, termination request, and the like. The LCP sends an end request (Terminate-Request) packet, and upon receipt of the confirmation (Terminate-Ack) packet, the link is closed and sends a signal to the physical layer to instruct disconnection. When a link is closed, the network layer is also notified and required processing is performed.
At this time, the NCP does not need to perform any processing. Further, the other party's PPP receiving the termination request packet transmits a termination confirmation packet, and then transmits the termination confirmation packet for a fixed time (Restart Time
After the timeout of r), the link is disconnected. here,
The fixed time may be set to a default of 3 seconds and can be set arbitrarily. Thus, the process returns to the link stop phase. In this phase, only LCP packets are accepted.

When communication using a PPP connection is performed in a mobile communication network having the above-described characteristics, the LCP link is in an open state (in FIG. 4, the state of the PPP transits when the link establishment phase ends). Or N
In a CP open state (in FIG. 4, a state of the PPP that changes when the network layer protocol phase ends), Echo-Request or Ech
A link maintenance packet message such as o-Reply or Discard-Request is transmitted.

The link maintenance packet message is a PPP message.
This message is used only when the connection is established and can be used only in the LCP link open state. PPP
It is transmitted from one end node (that is, the transmitting end node) in order to confirm the connectivity of communication between the linked end and end. This message contains E
cho-Request / Echo-Reply / Di
There is a shard-Request and the like.

Here, Echo-Request is P
In connection using PP, after the LCP link open state, or during data communication, etc., in order to confirm the connectivity of communication between nodes terminating the PPP protocol, a maintenance link packet message transmitted from one terminal node is used. is there. The timing of the transmission differs depending on the function of the PC or the like transmitting the message.

Echo-Reply is one of the maintenance link packet messages, Echo-Req.
This is a maintenance link packet message for the node that has received the west message to notify the source end node that the connectivity of the communication has been confirmed.

Also, Discard-Request
Is one of the maintenance link packet messages transmitted from one node terminating the PPP to confirm the connectivity of the communication in the connection using the PPP. Since this message does not require a response, it may be used as a confirmation message at the time of debugging or restarting. According to RFC, it may be transmitted even during communication.

These packet messages are transmitted at both ends of a PPP link, which is a link established by a PPP negotiation process for passing a PPP packet through a network, to check the connectivity of the communication or the nodes or one of the two nodes. Sent from the node.

In a conventional mobile communication network, many networks establish a PPP link between a mobile terminal (including a PC) and a core network gate node.

In the LCP link open state of FIG. 4, the PPP terminal node receiving the link maintenance packet message performs a response process to the link maintenance packet message as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. It is necessary to perform closed processing.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a communication sequence when a mobile station transmits a link maintenance packet message according to the prior art.

FIG. 5 shows Ec as a link maintenance packet.
It is a figure which shows the communication sequence at the time of transmitting a ho-Request.

First, a mobile terminal (including a PC) 110 sends an EchoReq (Echo-Requests) to a mobile station 120.
t) is transmitted, but since the mobile device 120 does not care what packet it is, this message is sent through the network. This message indicates that the radio resource 10
2, subscriber node 130, core network resource 1
Core network gate (CN gate) 1
40 (step S502). Echo-R
The request is transmitted periodically.

Next, the core network gate (CN gate) 140 sends a response message (EchoRep: Echo-Rep) to the mobile terminal (including the PC) 110.
ly) (step S504).

FIG. 5 shows Di as a link maintenance packet.
It is a figure which shows the communication sequence at the time of transmitting a scard-Request.

First, the mobile terminal (including the PC) 110 sends a DiscardReq (Discard-
Request) is transmitted, but since the mobile device 120 is not aware of what packet it is, this message is sent through the network. This message is sent via the radio resource 102, the subscriber node 130, the core network resource 104 to the core network gate (C
(N gate) 140 (step S506).
Echo-Request is transmitted irregularly.

Depending on the mobile terminal (including the PC), it is possible to set the link maintenance packet message not to be transmitted by user setting. However, the setting cannot be performed in a certain mobile terminal, and there is a mobile terminal that performs periodic transmission.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a communication sequence when a mobile station transmits a link maintenance packet message according to the prior art.

Here, the communication sequence shown in FIG.
The point that the terminal node of the PPP link is not the CN gate 140 but the ISP 150 is different from the communication sequence shown in FIG.
When transmitting the quest, the ISP 150 transmits a response message (see FIG. 11). When transmitting the Discard-Request as a link maintenance packet, the ISP 150 performs necessary processing (see FIG. 11).

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a communication sequence when an ISP sends a link maintenance packet message according to the prior art.

FIG. 6 shows Ec as a link maintenance packet.
It is a figure which shows the communication sequence at the time of transmitting a ho-Request.

First, the Internet service provider ISP 150 has a core network gate (CN gate).
EchoReq (Echo-Request) for 140
, But the core network gate (CN gate)
At 140, this message is sent through the network because it is not conscious of what packet it is. This message is sent to the mobile station 120 via the core network resource 104, the subscriber node 130, the radio resource 102.
And the mobile terminal (including the PC) 110 (step S602). Echo-Request is transmitted periodically.

Next, the mobile terminal (including the PC) 110
Sends a response message (EchoRep: Echo-R) to the Internet service provider ISP150.
send) (step S604).

FIG. 6 shows Di as a link maintenance packet.
It is a figure which shows the communication sequence at the time of transmitting a scard-Request.

First, the Internet service provider ISP 150 has a core network gate (CN gate).
In 140, DiscardReq (Discard-Re
quest), but the core network gate (CN gate) 140 does not care what the packet is, so this message flows through the network. This message is sent to core network resource 1
04, transmitted to the mobile device 120 and the mobile terminal (including the PC) 110 via the subscriber node 130 and the radio resource 102 (step S606). Echo-Requ
est is transmitted irregularly.

[0059]

Assuming that a user establishes communication by making a PPP connection in a mobile communication network according to the prior art, the network supports the connection established by the PPP connection as described above. On the other hand, when the user data decreases, the state of the wireless section is transited to effectively use the resources of the wireless section. At present, consideration is also given to incorporating control for releasing resources in the core network section as well as the wireless section.

However, when communication connectivity is confirmed by a link maintenance packet message, which is one of the functions of the PPP, there is a problem that the network must always maintain a state in which network resources are secured.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a mobile communication network capable of providing control enabling release of resources in a radio section and a core network section, an entry node thereof, and maintenance message suppression in the mobile communication network. It is to provide a method.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to return a link maintenance packet message at an ingress node (part) of a network or to transmit a link maintenance packet message over a control message transfer connection, thereby enabling wireless communication in a network. An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile communication network capable of providing release control of user data connection resources in a section and a core network section, an entry node thereof, and a method for suppressing maintenance messages in the mobile communication network.

[0063]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, at an entry node of a mobile communication network connected to a terminal node that transmits and receives a message, a message transmitted from the terminal node is connected to a communication connection. First determining means for determining whether or not the maintenance message is a predetermined maintenance message transmitted from one of the end nodes to confirm that the response message to the maintenance message has been transmitted when the transmission message is the maintenance message. And a second determining means for determining whether or not it is necessary.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the entrance node of the mobile communication network according to the first aspect, when the second determining means determines that a response to the maintenance message is necessary, the second determining means determines whether the terminal node has a response. A transmission means for transmitting a response thereto is further provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, at the entrance node of the mobile communication network according to the first aspect, when the second determining means determines that a response to the maintenance message is not necessary, the maintenance is performed. The apparatus further comprises a discarding means for discarding the message.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the entrance node of the mobile communication network according to the first aspect, the entrance node is a mobile station, and the terminal node is a computer terminal.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the entry node of the mobile communication network according to the first aspect, the entry node is a gate node, and the terminal node is a gate node or an Internet service provider. Features.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an entry node connected to a transmitting end node for transmitting a message,
An egress node connected to an egress node connected to a receiving end node receiving a message, wherein the ingress node transmits the message transmitted from the transmitting end node to confirm communication connectivity. First determining means for determining whether or not the maintenance message is a predetermined maintenance message transmitted from the side terminal node; and, when the transmission message is the maintenance message, transmitting the maintenance message via the control message transfer connection to the egress. Transmitting means for transmitting to the node, and the egress node includes second determining means for determining whether a response to the maintenance message is necessary.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the mobile communication network according to the sixth aspect, the egress node comprises:
When the second determining unit determines that a response to the maintenance message is necessary, the system further comprises a response transmitting unit that transmits a response to the transmitting end node via the control message transfer connection. And

[0070] The invention according to claim 8 is the mobile communication network according to claim 6, wherein the egress node comprises:
When the second determining means determines that a response to the maintenance message is not necessary, the information processing apparatus further includes a corresponding processing means for performing a process corresponding to the maintenance message.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the mobile communication network according to the sixth aspect, the entrance node is a mobile station, the transmitting end node is a computer terminal, and the exit node is a gate node. And the receiving end node is a gate node or an Internet service provider.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the mobile communication network according to the sixth aspect, the ingress node is a gate node, the transmitting end node is a gate node or an Internet service provider, and the egress node Is a mobile terminal, and the receiving end node is a computer terminal.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, a maintenance in a mobile communication network including an ingress node connected to a transmitting end node transmitting a message and an egress node connected to a receiving end node receiving a message. In the message suppression method, at the entrance node, whether a message transmitted from the transmitting end node is a predetermined maintenance message transmitted from the transmitting end node to confirm communication connectivity or not. A first determining step of determining, and at the ingress node, when the transmission message is the maintenance message, transmitting the maintenance message to the egress node via a control message transfer connection; and at the egress node, It is determined whether a response to the maintenance message is necessary. Characterized in that it comprises a second determination step of.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the method for suppressing a maintenance message in the mobile communication network according to the eleventh aspect, when it is determined in the second determination step that a response to the maintenance message is necessary,
The method further includes a response transmitting step of transmitting a response to the transmitting end node via the control message transfer connection.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the method for suppressing a maintenance message in a mobile communication network according to the eleventh aspect, when it is determined in the second determination step that a response to the maintenance message is not necessary, The method further includes a corresponding processing step of performing a process corresponding to the maintenance message.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the method for suppressing a maintenance message in a mobile communication network according to the eleventh aspect, the entrance node is a mobile station, the transmitting end node is a computer terminal, and the exit is The node is a gate node, and the receiving end node is a gate node or an Internet service provider.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the method for suppressing a maintenance message in a mobile communication network according to the eleventh aspect, the entrance node is a gate node, and the transmitting end node is a gate node or an Internet service provider. The egress node is a mobile station, and the receiving end node is a computer terminal.

[0078]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (Principle of the Present Invention) (1) Node Termination Method The present invention is characterized mainly by effectively utilizing resources (wireless sections and core network resources) in a network. However, it differs from the prior art in the following points.

First, the entrance node in the network determines that the message is a link maintenance packet message.

Next, if the node that has determined that the message is a link maintenance packet message requires a Reply in the link maintenance packet message,
Create a message and send it back.

FIG. 7 and FIG.
0 will be described in detail below.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a mechanism for analyzing a PPP maintenance link packet according to the present invention.

In a mobile communication network, a PPP link is usually
A PPP frame format established between a mobile terminal (including a PC) and a core network gate node and transferred between the nodes is shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a PPP frame format according to the HDLC link format defined on RFC1662.

In this embodiment, the RFC 16
62 is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to such a case, and other formats (for example, RFC
1661).

Normally, the PPP frame is analyzed at the PPP terminal node only during PPP negotiation or user data communication.

However, mobile terminals (PCs)
In order not to pass the link maintenance packet message transmitted from the
In P), the following processing shown in FIG. 7 needs to be performed.

First, the network entry node 702
Performs eavesdropping on the contents of the transmission message 704 in the mobile station (MT / ADP) using the PPP frame format, and sets the Protocol field to LC
“0XC021” representing P (Link Control Protocol), and Informatio
It is analyzed that the code value of the n field is “09” indicating Echo-Request. Where LCP
Is called a link control protocol, and establishes, sets, and tests a data link connection. In LCP,
It establishes and sets a data link including the maximum length of the information section and negotiation of various types of configuration information.

Next, the network entry node 702
Determines that the packet is a link maintenance packet by analysis, and determines that the packet is Echo-R in the mobile station (MT / ADP)
response message 70, which is an send (0A) message
6 is generated and returned to the mobile terminal (including the PC) (see FIG. 7).

The received packet 708 is
“0XC021” in which the tocol field indicates the LCP
And the code value of the Information field is “0B” representing Discard-Request.
If the message is analyzed, the process of discarding this message at the node is performed (see FIG. 7).

Here, the network entry node 702
May be, for example, a mobile station or a core network gate node.

If the end point of the PPP link is a mobile communication network in which the mobile terminal (including the PC) and the ISP are used, this message may be transmitted from the ISP side. The functions performed by the ADP / mobile device (MT) are also performed by the core network gate node.

Also, a function of checking the connectivity of communication within the network (between the ADP / mobile device (MT) and the core network gate node) when the Echo-Request message is terminated (reply is transmitted if necessary). As described above, maintainability is supported by another protocol in the network, as described above.

(2) Control connection transfer method The present invention is characterized mainly by effective use of resources in a network (wireless section and core network resources). In.

First, it is determined that the message is a link maintenance packet message at the entrance in the network.

Next, the node that has determined that the message is a link maintenance packet message transfers this message into the network on the control message transfer connection.
(At this time, the user data connection is not re-established.) If the link maintenance packet message requires a Reply, a Reply message is created at the receiving end node receiving the link maintenance packet message, and the control message is transferred. Return on connection.

The implementation method of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 and 10 again.

In a mobile communication network, a PPP link is usually
A PPP frame format established between a mobile terminal (including a PC) and a core network gate node and transferred between the nodes is shown in FIG.

Normally, the PPP frame is analyzed at the PPP terminal node only during PPP negotiation or user data communication.

However, in order to prevent a re-establishment procedure of the user data connection, the ADP / mobile device (MT) determines the link maintenance packet message transmitted from the mobile terminal (including the PC) side, and determines the link maintenance packet message. In such a case, control is performed so as not to pass through the user data connection but to pass through the control message transfer connection.

First, the network entry node 702
Performs eavesdropping on the contents of the transmission message 704 in the above-described PPP frame format at the mobile device (MT / ADP), and sets the Protocol field to L.
“0XC021” representing CP, and Inform
The code value of the ation field is Echo-Requ
It is analyzed that it is “09” representing est.

Also, the network entry node 702
Indicates that the code value of the Information field is
When analyzing that it is “0B” representing Discard-Request, the mobile station (MT / ADP)
The message 708 is transferred not on the user data connection but on the control message transfer connection.

The details will be described later.
When the o-Request is transferred on the control message transfer connection, a reply is sent back at the receiving end node.

If the end point of the PPP link is a mobile communication network in which the mobile terminal (including the PC) 110 and the ISP 150 are used, this message may be transmitted from the ISP side. , The mobile device (MT /
ADP) performs the functions performed by the core network gate node.

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence when a mobile station transmits a link maintenance packet message according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows Ec as a link maintenance packet.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication sequence when transmitting a ho-Request, and FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication sequence when transmitting a Discard-Request as a link maintenance packet.

When a user performs communication using a PPP connection on a mobile communication network, a PPP is established between a mobile terminal (including a PC) and a core network gate node (or ISP).
Establish a link.

After the PPP link is established, when the user transfers data to the ISP 150, the mobile station 12
In step S802, the user data in the PPP packet is intercepted (step S802). The code value of the Protocol field existing in the contents of the PPP packet is L
A code value “0XC021” representing CP, and I
When the code value of the ninformation field is a code value representing a link maintenance packet (Echo-
Request (09) or Discard-Re
quest (0B)), the mobile device 120 performs the following processing. Here, when the PPP link is established from the mobile terminal (including the PC) to the ISP, and when this message is transmitted from the ISP side, the same processing is performed in the core network gate node.

(I) When Recognizing Echo-Request When user data transmitted from mobile terminal (including PC) 110 is Echo-Request, mobile device 120 creates an Echo-Reply message. Echo to the mobile terminal (including PC) 110 of the transmission source.
-Reply is returned (step S804).

(Ii) Discard-Request
When the user data transmitted from the mobile terminal (including the PC) 110 is Discard-Request,
The mobile device 120 discards this message (step S8).
06).

By introducing the node termination method, it is possible to prevent a link maintenance packet from passing through the network.

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence when a mobile station transmits a link maintenance packet message according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

When a user performs communication using a PPP connection on a mobile communication network, a PPP is established between a mobile terminal (including a PC) and a core network gate node (or ISP).
Establish a link.

After the PPP link is established, when the user transfers data to the ISP 150, the mobile station 12
In step S902, the user data in the PPP packet is intercepted (step S902). The code value of the Protocol field existing in the contents of the PPP packet is L
A code value “0XC021” representing CP, and I
When the code value of the ninformation field is a code value representing a link maintenance packet (Echo-
Request (09) or Discard-Re
quest (0B)), the mobile device 120 performs the following processing. Here, when the PPP link is established from the mobile terminal (including the PC) to the ISP, and when this message is transmitted from the ISP side, the same processing is performed in the core network gate node.

(I) When Recognizing Echo-Request When user data transmitted from mobile terminal (including PC) 110 is EchoReq (Echo-Request), mobile station 120 establishes a control message transfer connection. This message is transferred above, and the user data connection is not re-established.

Further, at the PPP termination point (node) that receives it, EchoRep (Echo-Reply)
A message is created and returned (step S904).

(Ii) Discard-Request
When the user data transmitted from the mobile terminal (including the PC) 110 is DiscardReq (Discard-Req
west), the mobile device 120 causes this message to be transferred on the control message transfer connection, and does not re-establish the user data connection (step S).
906).

At the PPP termination point (node) that receives the packet, processing is performed as necessary.

By introducing the control message transfer method, network resources can be released without re-establishing a user data connection in the network.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence when a mobile station transmits a link maintenance packet message according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Here, the communication sequence shown in FIG.
The point that the terminal node of the PPP link is not the CN gate 140 but the ISP 150 is different from the communication sequence shown in FIG.
quest (step S120)
2) When the ISP 150 transmits a response message (step S1204), and when transmitting a Discard-Request as a link maintenance packet, the ISP 150 performs necessary processing (step S1206).

(Third Embodiment) A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence when an ISP sends a link maintenance packet message according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Here, the communication sequence shown in FIG.
When transmitting an Echo-Request as a link maintenance packet (step S1302), the mobile terminal 1
10 transmits a response message (step S13).
04) and Discard as a link maintenance packet
-When transmitting the Request, the mobile terminal 110
In step S1306, necessary processing is performed.

As described above, as described above, the link maintenance packet message sent from the mobile terminal (including the PC) is returned at the entrance of the network, discarded, or transmitted on the control message. Thus, it is possible to release network resources. Accordingly, a case where the communication state of the user is the state or the state in FIG. 2 will be described below.

(1) Status (Common CH: RA / FAC)
H) In the state where the common CH (RA / FACH) is used, the state or the state transits according to the information amount. In the network, when no user data is received, a timer is started, the non-communication time is counted, and if no user data is received during that time, the state is changed. However, a link maintenance packet, eg, E
If a message that the user does not intend, such as a cho-Request, is periodically transmitted, the state cannot be changed depending on the timer value. Therefore, it is impossible to perform effective use while retaining resources in the wireless section.

However, according to the present invention, the link maintenance packet is turned back at the entrance of the network, discarded, or transferred by the control message transfer connection, so that the radio network resource can transition from state to state. Enable use.

(2) State (Common CH: RA / PCH) In the state where the common CH (RA / FACH) is used, the state transits to the state by the transfer of the user data.
The network must perform connection establishment processing for transitioning to a state by receiving user data. Here, a link maintenance packet, for example, Ech
When a message unintended by the user, such as o-Request, is periodically transmitted, depending on the timer value, the state transition between states frequently occurs. Therefore, extra call processing is frequently performed in the network, which is a factor that suppresses the processing capacity of the node.

However, according to the present invention, the network can prevent frequent transitions from state to state by returning or discarding the link maintenance packet at the entrance of the network, or by transferring the control message through a control message transfer connection. It is possible to prevent pressure on processing capacity in a network.

In the case where resources in the core network section are released, the above state (common CH: RA
As in the case of (/ PCH), it is possible to prevent pressure on node processing capacity due to frequent repetition of resource reset processing in a core network section. (SGSN
Frequent exchange of messages between the (subscriber node) and the GGSN (core network gate node) can be prevented. )

(Other Embodiments) In the above-described embodiment, the service and system system of NTT Mobile Communication Network Company (company name) have been described as an example, but the present invention is limited to this case. Instead, the present invention may be applied to other companies' services, system methods, and the like having the same functions in other embodiments.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where each embodiment is independently realized has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this case. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the embodiments can be combined as appropriate.

Further, in the above-described embodiment,
The case where the subscriber node 130 and the core network gate (CN gate) 140 are realized as an independent case has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this case, and other embodiments are not limited to this case. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that these can be combined with each other as appropriate to be implemented as one housing.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where mobile terminal 110 and mobile device 120 are realized as independent housings has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this case. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that in other embodiments, these can be combined with each other as appropriate and implemented as one housing.

Further, when the gate node is the entry node and the terminal node on the transmission side, the maintenance message is not transmitted uniformly, and the suppression at the entry node may not be performed.

[0138]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, at the entry node of the mobile communication network connected to the terminal node that transmits and receives the message, the message transmitted from the terminal node is connected to the communication connectivity. First determining means for determining whether or not the maintenance message is a predetermined maintenance message transmitted from one of the end nodes to confirm
When the transmission message is a maintenance message, the second determination means for determining whether a response to the maintenance message is necessary is provided, so that the entry node can determine whether the message is a maintenance message, and further determine whether the response is possible. You can make a decision.

Further, according to the present invention, when the second determining means determines that a response to the maintenance message is necessary, the transmitting means for transmitting a response to the terminal node is further provided. Useless transmission and reception of messages in a network section can be suppressed.
In addition, this makes it possible to provide control that enables release of resources in the radio section and the core network section.

Further, according to the present invention, when the second judging means judges that a response to the maintenance message is not necessary, there is further provided a discarding means for discarding the maintenance message. Useless transmission and reception of messages in a network section can be suppressed. In addition, this makes it possible to provide control that enables release of resources in the radio section and the core network section.

Further, according to the present invention, the ingress node transmits the message transmitted from the transmitting end node to
First determining means for determining whether or not the maintenance message is a predetermined maintenance message transmitted from the transmitting end node to confirm communication connectivity; and controlling the maintenance message if the transmission message is a maintenance message. Transmission means for transmitting to the egress node via the message transfer connection, and the egress node includes second determination means for determining whether or not a response to the maintenance message is necessary. Can be sent to the egress node via the control message transfer connection without re-establishing the user data connection. In addition, it is possible to suppress useless transmission and reception of messages in the wireless section and the core network section. Further, thereby, it is possible to provide control capable of releasing resources in the radio section and the core network section.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, when the second determining means determines that a response to the maintenance message is necessary, the egress node sends a response to the transmitting end node via the control message transfer connection. Since the apparatus further includes a response transmitting means for transmitting, it is possible to transmit a response via the control message transfer connection without re-establishing the user data connection, thereby suppressing unnecessary transmission and reception of messages in the wireless section and the core network section. be able to. In addition, this makes it possible to provide control that enables release of resources in the radio section and the core network section.

Further, according to the present invention, the exit node further comprises a corresponding processing means for performing processing corresponding to the maintenance message when the second determining means determines that a response to the maintenance message is not necessary. So
Processing required for each maintenance message can be executed, and useless message transmission and reception in the wireless section and the core network section can be suppressed. In addition, this makes it possible to provide control that enables release of resources in the radio section and the core network section.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the concept of network resources in a mobile communication network.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an image of resource transition in a wireless section.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a concept of a control procedure up to data transmission / reception when a PPP connection is performed in a mobile communication network.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a P when a PPP connection is performed in a mobile communication network;
It is a figure which shows the state transition until PP link establishment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a communication sequence when a mobile station transmits a link maintenance packet message according to the related art.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a communication sequence when an ISP sends a link maintenance packet message according to the related art.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a mechanism for analyzing a PPP maintenance link packet according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence when a mobile station transmits a link maintenance packet message according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence when a mobile station transmits a link maintenance packet message according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a PPP frame format according to an HDLC link format defined on RFC1662.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a communication sequence when a mobile station transmits a link maintenance packet message according to the related art.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence when a mobile station transmits a link maintenance packet message according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence when an ISP sends a link maintenance packet message according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 Network Resource 102 Radio Resource 104 Core Network Resource 110 Mobile Terminal 120 Mobile Station 125 Radio Control Station 130 Subscriber Node 140 Core Network Gate (CN Gate) 150 Internet Service Provider ISP 702 Network Entrance Node 704, 708 Transmission Message 706 Response Message

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Shigeo Tanimoto F-term (reference) in NTT Mobile Communication Network Co., Ltd. 2-11-1, Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 5K030 GA03 HA08 HC01 JA08 JL01 JT03 KA13 LB18 MA05 5K033 AA01 CB06 CC01 DA17 EA03 5K034 AA02 BB06 EE03 FF04 KK01 RR01 5K035 AA01 CC10 EE21 FF02 GG09 JJ04 MM02 MM07 9A001 BB04 CC05 CC08 JJ25 JJ27 JJ36 KK56 LL09

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An ingress node of a mobile communication network connected to a terminal node for transmitting and receiving a message, wherein a message transmitted from the terminal node is transmitted from one of the terminal nodes to confirm communication connectivity. First determining means for determining whether or not the maintenance message is a predetermined maintenance message, and when the transmission message is the maintenance message,
A second determining means for determining whether or not a response to the maintenance message is necessary. An entrance node of a mobile communication network. 2. The transmission node for transmitting a response to the terminal node when the second determination unit determines that a response to the maintenance message is necessary at the entrance node of the mobile communication network according to claim 1. An entry node of a mobile communication network, further comprising means. 3. An ingress node of a mobile communication network according to claim 1, wherein said second judging means discards said maintenance message when it is judged that no response to said maintenance message is necessary. An entry node of a mobile communication network, further comprising: 4. The entry node of the mobile communication network according to claim 1, wherein said entry node is a mobile device, and said terminal node is a computer terminal. 5. The mobile communication network according to claim 1, wherein said entry node is a gate node, and said terminal node is a gate node or an Internet service provider. Entry node. 6. A mobile communication network including an ingress node connected to a transmitting end node that transmits a message, and an egress node connected to a receiving end node that receives a message, wherein the ingress node includes: First determining means for determining whether a message transmitted from the transmitting end node is a predetermined maintenance message transmitted from the transmitting end node for confirming communication connectivity; and If it is a maintenance message,
Transmitting means for transmitting the maintenance message to the egress node via a control message transfer connection, the egress node comprising: a second determining means for determining whether a response to the maintenance message is necessary. Mobile communication network characterized. 7. The mobile communication network according to claim 6, wherein the egress node determines, via the control message transfer connection, that the egress node determines that a response to the maintenance message is necessary. A mobile communication network, further comprising a response transmitting means for transmitting a response to a transmitting end node. 8. The mobile communication network according to claim 6, wherein the egress node determines that a response to the maintenance message is not necessary in the second determining means, and performs a process corresponding to the maintenance message. A mobile communication network, further comprising a corresponding processing unit for performing the following. 9. The mobile communication network according to claim 6, wherein the ingress node is a mobile station, the transmitting end node is a computer terminal, the egress node is a gate node, and the receiving end is A mobile communication network, wherein the node is a gate node or an Internet service provider. 10. The mobile communication network according to claim 6, wherein the ingress node is a gate node, the transmitting end node is a gate node or an Internet service provider, the egress node is a mobile station, and The mobile communication network, wherein the receiving end node is a computer terminal. 11. A method for suppressing a maintenance message in a mobile communication network including an ingress node connected to a transmitting end node transmitting a message and an egress node connected to a receiving end node receiving a message, the method comprising: A first determining step in which the node determines whether the message transmitted from the transmitting end node is a predetermined maintenance message transmitted from the transmitting end node for confirming communication connectivity; When the transmission message is the maintenance message at the entrance node, a transmission step of transmitting the maintenance message to the exit node via a control message transfer connection, and a response to the maintenance message is required at the exit node. Second determining step of determining whether or not Maintenance message suppression method in a mobile communication network, characterized in that it comprises a. 12. The method for suppressing a maintenance message in a mobile communication network according to claim 11, wherein when it is determined in the second determination step that a response to the maintenance message is required, the control message is transferred via the control message transfer connection. A method for suppressing a maintenance message in a mobile communication network, further comprising a response transmitting step of transmitting a response to a transmitting end node. 13. The method for suppressing a maintenance message in a mobile communication network according to claim 11, wherein if it is determined in the second determination step that a response to the maintenance message is not necessary, a process corresponding to the maintenance message is performed. A maintenance message suppression method in a mobile communication network, further comprising a corresponding processing step of performing the following. 14. The method for suppressing a maintenance message in a mobile communication network according to claim 11, wherein the ingress node is a mobile device, the transmitting end node is a computer terminal, the egress node is a gate node, And a method of suppressing a maintenance message in a mobile communication network, wherein the receiving end node is a gate node or an Internet service provider. 15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the ingress node is a gate node, the sending terminal node is a gate node or an Internet service provider, and the egress node is a mobile node. And the receiving end node is a computer terminal, wherein the maintenance message is suppressed in a mobile communication network.